Free, Cheap and Fun Things To Do This Weekend 1st - 2nd September 2018
As Summer becomes but a distant memory and September steps in, you may think it’s all ‘back to routine, back to the grindstone, back to normal’.
But alas, with help from us, there are still lots of free, cheap and fun things to do each and every weekend, so you’ve something planned, week in, week out!
This weekend you could be looking forward to the best of Bluegrass in Omagh, looking up to Red Arrows in Portrush, joining the ’Conversations’ at Mount Stewart or Spinning Yarns at Antrim Castle Gardens!
And if you need to pick up some new Autumn essentials or some bits and bobs for your trips and travels each weekend, sign up to Power NI Perks*. It’s exclusive to Power NI customers and offers 100s of discounts on everyday brands like Decathlon, Sports Direct, Cotswold and ASOS!
At Power NI, we work hard to help you find ways to save money and better power your spare time. Check in each week to find out more.
1. ASPECTS FESTIVAL 2018
1st - 30th September
Bangor
FREE and Ticketed Events
Celebrate Irish Writing and Literature in all its glory.
This weekend sees the event launch with ‘Wellbeing’ the focus of a packed programme covering all aspects of creative writing. Guest speakers include painter Lady Dufferin and the popular Clandeboye Reading Party is free for all.
The Young Aspects will fire and fuel little imaginations too!
2. MOUNT STEWART CONVERSATIONS FESTIVAL
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd September
Mount Stewart
FREE and Ticketed Events
Marvellous minds will meet at this magnificent celebration of conversation.
While local and global speakers take centre stage, there’s lots of free family fun including Giant Bubble Trouble, a Flippin’ Experimental Drawing Workshop, Which Tent, Animal Antics, The Next Village and Crazy Mind Expanding stuff!
Art, culture, music and chat – now that’s what we’re talking about!
3. MARKET ON THE SQUARE
Saturday 1st September, 10am - 1.30pm
Portaferry
FREE
Every first Saturday in the month, Portaferry is the place to be.
Browse the market stalls of local talents and tasty treats, enjoy free family fun from 2pm at the Visitors Centre, take a guided tour of the town (£) or even try your hand at the enormous organ on display at Portico!
It’s not your average day out, but then who wants average?
4. SUPERCAR SUNDAY
Sunday 2nd September, 1pm - 5pm
The Boulevard, Banbridge
FREE
There’s a super day out on the cards with Supercar Sunday!
Pull up to The Boulevard in Banbridge, park up and wander around the collection of supercars on show, talk to the owners, perhaps sit behind the driver’s wheel and see what puts the ‘super’ into these supercars!
There’s plenty of vroom for everyone!
5. RARE BREED SHOW AND SALE
Saturday 1st September
Gosford Forest Park
Adults £8, Children FREE
This is the cream of the crop of Livestock!
On show will be the Large White, Saddleback, Tamworth and Black Pigs, best in show sheep and cows! Crafts will include spinning, felting and crook making; it’s a wonderful insight into the farming industry - at its very best.
A rare opportunity to learn more about local farming.
6. AUTUMN BOOK FAIR
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd September, 12pm - 5pm
The Argory, Co. Armagh
Normal admission prices apply
You can’t beat a good read as the darker nights draw in.
So make your first stop the second-hand bookshop at The Argory in County Armagh, to stock up on your winter reads. There are 100s of great books to choose from, all genres, all authors, all pre-loved.
Bring your kids to pick their favourite stories at a fraction of the price.
7. FLOWER ARRANGING FOR KIDS
Sunday 2nd September 2pm – 4pm
Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh
Normal admission prices apply
Catch the scents of the last flowers of summer at Florence Court’s flower arranging for kids session.
Let the little ones grab a basket and collect flowers from the garden, along with the estate’s helpful gardeners, to create a jam-jar flower arrangement to take home or give to someone special!
8. BLUEGRASS 2018
Friday 31st August – 2nd September
Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh
£48 Weekend Pass
Ready for an incredible musical journey?
American-rooted folk & blues brings its story to the most stunning of surroundings with a line up including internationally acclaimed acts like Mike Compton and Joe Newberry, Whiskey Deaf and Old Salt Collective.
You will be humming these tunes long after the event.
9. WATERSIDE HALF MARATHON
Sunday 2nd September, 10am
Derry~Londonderry
FREE to spectators
Go along and cheer them on!
Line the route from Ebrington Square across the river to the Cityside taking in the views, parks and Peace Bridge along the way in this 37th Waterside Half Marathon, also hosting the NI & Ulster Half Marathon Championship.
Feel the energy, the excitement and be part of it all.
10. CARNIVAL OF COLOURS
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd September, 1pm - Late
Derry~Londonderry
FREE Daytime Events (Ticketed Evening Events)
This is ‘The Greatest Show’!
Celebrate 250 years of the circus with two Big Tops featuring international circus acts, a circus skills workshop, outdoor cinema, music, arts and crafts, storytelling, a fairy door trail, painting in the park, face painting and food stalls.
Roll up, roll up for a superb day of entertainment!
11. WEAPONRY AT MARTELLO TOWER
Saturday 1st September, 11am - 3pm
Limavady
FREE
History buffs will be in their element!
Discover the crucial role Martello Tower at Magilligan played in defending these parts from enemy invaders. With life-like re-enactments of patrols and full-scale, full-costumed demonstrations of how the weaponry worked.
It’s a historic, iconic and fascinating day out.
12. AIRWAVES PORTRUSH
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd September
Portrush
FREE
Take to the seaside town for the biggest FREE air show around.
Meet a real live Irish Astronaut, discover the history of 100 years of the RAF, and see the skies come alive with the roar of the mighty Red Arrows, RAF Falcons and MiG-15s as they whizz overhead in a range of aerial displays.
With food villages, fun zones, artisan market and more!
13. GUIDED ANTRIM HILLS DAY
Sunday 2nd September, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cairncastle
£5
Want to become a more experienced hill walker?
Walk this way, with a Guided Hill Day. You’ll learn basic navigation skills, what to do if the weather turns, what kit you’ll need and the environmental things to consider. You’ll also get the inside track on how to truly appreciate the beauty of the Antrim Hills.
Enjoy the view and a more confident hill-walking you.
14. SPINNING YARNS FESTIVAL
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd September, 10am - 6pm
Antrim Castle Gardens
£5, under 16s FREE
Come for colour, creativity and craft!
Brighten up the prospect of Autumn arriving with a festival celebrating all things wool and linen, with special guests Paula McIntyre MBE and Sewing Bee’s Angeline Murphy. With kids entertainment, exhibitions, workshops and stalls.
An Afternoon Tea Fashion Tent is the perfect spot to spin some yarns of your own!
Polite Disclaimer from Power NI:
Every care has been taken to portray event information as accurately as possible. If there are any mistakes or if we’ve missed anything, please drop us a line and we’ll put it right.
* Power NI Perks is only available to Power NI customers.
